Corpus Christi in Nueces County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Padre Island and Padre Nicolas Balli

Photographed By James Hulse, August 31, 2021

1. Padre Island and Padre Nicolas Balli Marker

Inscription. First called Corpus Christi Island or Isla Santiago, Padre Island was named for Padre Jose Nicolas Balli (1772-1829). His family migrated from Spain in 1569 and became large landowners in the Lower Rio Grande Valley, influential in military and governmental affairs. Ordained about 1790, Padre Balli applied to Spain's King Charles IV in 1800 for 112 leagues of land on the Island Padre. Balli had the land surveyed and in 1804 started the first settlement, Rancho Santa Cruz about 26 miles from the southern tip. He began the island's first mission for the settlers and to Christianize the Karankawa Indians. With help from a nephew Juan Jose Balli, as "Mayordomo" or foreman, Padre Balli started ranching, bringing in large herds of cattle horses and sheep.

Padre Balli served as missionary and the collector of finances for all churches in the Rio Grande Valley. With financial aid from his mother Dona Rosa Maria de Hinojosa, he opened the first mission in present Cameron County and began a church and the first school at present Matamoros, Mexico. Padre Balli's ministry influenced the lives of early settlers in South Texas. He was buried near Matamoros.

Erected 1979 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 3908.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

• Hispanic Americans • Native Americans • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1569.

Location. 27° 35.27′ N, 97° 13.392′ W. Marker is in Corpus Christi, Texas, in Nueces County. Marker is at the intersection of South Padre Island Drive (Highway 22) and Padre Balli Park Road, on the left when traveling south on South Padre Island Drive. The marker is located at the front entrance to the Padre Balli Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 15820 South Padre Island Drive, Corpus Christi TX 78418, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. The Pat Dunn Ranch (approx. 2.6 miles away); Coastal Hide, Tallow and Packing Industries (approx. 2.6 miles away); Duncan Cemetery (approx. 5.6 miles away); Flour Bluff Independent School District (approx. 6 miles away); German POW Camp at NAS Corpus Christi (approx. 6½ miles away); Naval Air Station Corpus Christi (approx. 6½ miles away); Flour Bluff (approx. 6½ miles away); Padre Island National Seashore (approx. 7.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Corpus Christi.

Also see . . .
1. Padre Island.

In
Photographed By James Hulse, August 31, 2021

2. The Padre Island and Padre Nicolas Balli Marker in front of the Padre Balli Park
spite of the independence of Texas in 1836 and statehood in 1847 Padre Island remained a possession of Mexico until the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848. The state of Texas subsequently relinquished all rights on the island to Nicolás and Juan José Ballí, on February 10, 1852. Source: The Handbook of Texas

(Submitted on October 1, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

2. Balli, Jose Nicolas.

José Nicolás Ballí, a secular Catholic priest, the oldest son of José María and Rosa María Hinojosa de Ballí, was born in Reynosa, Mexico, about 1770. His parents were both Spaniards. Padre Ballí was an original grantee of the Texas coastal island later named Padre Island in his honor. He led an active civic and religious life in South Texas and the state of Tamaulipas as a missionary, a rancher, a colonist, and an explorer. Source: The Handbook of Texas

(Submitted on October 1, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

The view of the Padre Island and Padre Nicolas Balli Marker from the street image. Click for full size.

Photographed By James Hulse, August 31, 2021

3. The view of the Padre Island and Padre Nicolas Balli Marker from the street

Credits. This page was last revised on October 1, 2021. It was originally submitted on October 1, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 292 times since then and 47 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 1, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.